Away point for Rearcross U-15 Boys in League opener

Rearcross U-15 Boys started their campaign with a trip to Ballymackey on Saturday. Rearcross's first effort on goal was a Jonathan Dawson strike which hit the side netting after being put through by Conor Nolan. Ballymackey took the lead when poor defending by Rearcross saw Daithi Kennedy finish to the net from inside the box. Rearcross responded with a Micheál Collins long range effort which was just wide of the mark. Ballymackey were awarded a penalty but the effort wasn’t converted by a luckless Ballymackey player. Ciaran McLoughlin then saw his effort from outside the Ballymackey penalty box go just wide. Rearcross levelled matters just before half time when Patrick Carr played a brilliant ball to Conor Nolan who made no mistake.
Rearcross came out in the second half a different team. Jonathan Dawson had 3 efforts on goal in succession which produced brilliant saves from Eanna O'Shea in the Ballymackey goals. A dangerous Jonathan Dawson cross from the right was barely missed by an on-rushing Patrick Carr much to the relief of the home crowd. James Costello was playing his part and cleared a dangerous cross by Kian Kennedy. A Jonathan Dawson free kick from near the half way line saw his effort thump off the Ballymackey crossbar and go wide. Ballymackey then took the lead against the run of play when a mis-kick from a luckless Darragh Reynolds was met by Callum Ryan who dispatched a long-range effort to the back of the net. Straight from the kick off, Jonathan Dawson again saw a long-range effort hit the Ballymackey crossbar before being collected by the keeper. The Ballinree side then had a purple patch but the Rearcross defence stood tall with telling tackles and clearances. Darragh Reynolds then produced a double save against Daithi Kennedy to keep the Rea boys in the match and moments later the Rearcross custodian again made a fine save to deny James Ryan. Jonathan Dawson saw 2 efforts saved by Eanna O'Shea before he finally got his name on the score sheet with a well worked goal to secure an away point.

Ballymackey FC: E O’Shea, J Gilmartin, C Cummins, J Hanrahan, C Ryan, C O’Brien, K Kennedy, F O’Shaughnessy, D Kennedy, J Ryan, P Williams
Subs: E Grace, B Delaney, R Kennedy, L Kennedy, J Warmusz, C Kennedy

Rearcross U-15 Boys: Darragh Reynolds, Jack Hickey, Matthew Ryan, Stephen Ryan (Capt), James Costello, Micheál Collins, Ciaran McLoughlin, Patrick Carr, Conor Nolan, Jonathan Dawson, Liam O’Dwyer
Subs: Sean Guidera, Andrew Hanley, Cathal Hickey, Conor McInerney, 

Referee: Bobby O’Connor

Report by Shane Reynolds